Pronunciation: [dˈɜːθ] (IPA) 
The word "dearth" is spelled with a silent "a" and pronounced as /dɜːθ/. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "e" and "a" in the spelling are pronounced the same, resulting in the silent "a". This word means a scarcity or lack of something, often used to describe a shortage of food or other resources. It's important to pay attention to spelling and pronunciation in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion.
Dearth is a noun that refers to a scarcity or shortage of something, particularly in terms of a lack or insufficiency of a particular resource, goods, or supplies. It describes a situation in which the quantity or availability of something is considerably inadequate or insufficient to meet the demands or needs.
The term is often used to describe an economic condition where there is a widespread absence or shortfall of essential commodities or basic necessities, such as food, water, or fuel. This dearth can result from various factors, including natural disasters, droughts, wars, economic downturns, or mismanagement of resources. It emphasizes the critical nature of the insufficiency, suggesting that the lack is severe, significant, or concerning.
Dearth can also be used in a more figurative sense to portray a scarcity or inadequacy of non-material things, such as knowledge, talent, opportunities, or solutions. It can be applied to various domains, such as education, job opportunities, creativity, or ideas. In this context, dearth highlights the absence or deficiency of valuable or desirable qualities, hindering progress, growth, or development in those areas.
Overall, dearth conveys the idea of a significant shortage or scarcity of something that is necessary, important, or highly valued, creating a sense of concern, urgency, or difficulty in fulfilling requirements or desires.
Scarcity; want; famine; barrenness or want of.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dearth" originated from the Middle English term "derthe" which can be traced back to the Old English word "dierth" or "dyrth". The Old English term was derived from the West Germanic word "durtiz" meaning "deficiency" or "scarcity". Ultimately, it can be linked to the Proto-Germanic term "durtis" which translates to "to fall apart" or "break up", suggesting a sense of lacking or shortage.
